Rhetorical Analysis: Julius Caesar Act 1 Scene 2
Directions: After annotating the Julius Caesar Act 1 Scene 2 speech, complete the following analysis
(individual activity). You may use annotation notes as well as the No Fear document. All direct quotes,
however, must be from the original Shakespearean text, not the modern text translation.
Introduction
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In one sentence, say something that will gain the audience’s attention and will excite your
reader. Can be a general statement about Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, but it should not be a
summary of the plot. Rather, address the theme or conflict.
Write one sentence that transitions from the grabber to the thesis - should refer to Cassius’
speech and/or Act 1, Scene 2 in some way.
Write your thesis statement:
o William Shakespeare’s _____ (ADVERB SUCH AS SOPHISTICATED, CAREFULLY CRAFTED, FLASHY,
use of _____ and _____ (LIST TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF APPEALS CASSIUS USES:
EMOTION, LOGIC, ETHICS – THESE WILL BECOME YOUR TWO BODY PARAGRAPH TOPICS) _____ (VERB SUCH AS
DEMONSTRATES, CREATES, EMPHASIZES, GENERATES, FULFILLS, ETC.) _____ (IDENTIFY WHAT THE ARGUMENT
INVENTIVE, ETC.)
o
DOES FOR THE PLAY/SCENE).
Thesis Example: Douglass’s sophisticated use of diction and imagery conveys his unfavorable
attitude towards slavery.
Body Paragraph 1
 In his speech to Brutus, Cassius _____s (VERB MEANING SAYS) that _____ (STATE CASSIUS’ CLAIM).
 Cassius appeals to Brutus’ _____ (CHOOSE ONE APPEAL: EMOTIONS, LOGIC, OR ETHICS) when he
_____s (VERB MEANING SAYS) “_____,” (EMBED QUOTE THEN CITE IN PARENTHESES).
 Basically, Cassius _____ (SUMMARIZE THE QUOTE) in order to _____ (STATE HIS PURPOSE).
 This evidence suggests that _____ (ANALYZE THE EVIDENCE AND DISCUSS ITS SIGNIFICANCE TO HIS
ORIGINAL CLAIM).
Body Paragraph 2
 Cassius also appeals to Brutus’ _____ (CHOOSE A SECOND/DIFFERENT APPEAL: EMOTIONS, LOGIC, OR
ETHICS)
when he _____ s (VERB MEANING SAYS) “_____,” (EMBED QUOTE THEN CITE IN PARENTHESES).
 In other words, Cassius _____ (SUMMARIZE THE QUOTE) so that _____ (STATE HIS PURPOSE).
 This evidence suggests that _____ (ANALYZE THE EVIDENCE AND DISCUSS ITS SIGNIFICANCE TO HIS
ORIGINAL CLAIM).
Conclusion
 In one sentence, restate your opinion/stance from your thesis in a new way.
 Write a concluding statement about the information you presented in the body of your essay.
 Careful analysis of Cassius’ speech to Brutus, enhances the reading of Shakespeare’s
Julius Caesar because _____ (EXPLAIN HOW YOUR ANALYSIS HAS ADDED TO YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF
AND/OR CONNECTION WITH THE PLAY’S THEME OR CONFLICT, BUT DON’T USE FIRST-PERSON POINT OF VIEW).